Spring Break
UHDS to allow opposite sex roommates
Housing change aimed at creating safer living situations for transgender stduents
Katie Thorn
Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: News
To help better accommodate transgendered students, University Housing and Dining Services will be allowing members of the opposite sex to room together in a section of Bloss Hall in fall 2007.
The new "gender-inclusive" housing will be featured as a pilot project holding approximately 40 beds, said Cindy Empey, director of UHDS.
It will be open to any students who wish to room with a member of the opposite sex, but there is no random assignment; students must select the person they will be living with.
The number of open spots is flexible, because it all depends on the interests and requests, according to Empey.
"Some schools call it 'gender-neutral,' but we opted for 'gender-inclusive,'" Empey said. "We're hoping for returning and transfer students. There is also an option for consideration of first-year students."
The new housing is primarily for gender-variant students, according to Steven Leider, Lesbian Bisexual Gay and Transgender Outreach and Services Coordinator.
The first initial proposal didn't pass, but after revisions and rewording of the document, it was re-submitted on Sept. 5, 2006 by Angela Baxter, a senior in women's studies.
"We met with individuals while re-writing the proposal," Baxter said. "We got input and a direct buy-in from students."
The proposal is a short, overall description of the initiative. The wording was changed to "gender inclusive" and opened up the option to freshman, according to Baxter.
"The bottom line is that the dorms aren't always safe spaces," Baxter said. "Housing would have to create a space according to the Non-Discrimination Policy - and next year, it's going to be implemented."
The proposal was made with the addition of Gender Identity and Gender Expression in the Non-Discrimination Policy in mind.
"Corvallis is fortunate," Leider said, "for it protects the civil rights of LGBT. We're the only city in Oregon with LGBT protections in the city charter. We're proud of the university - they truly commit to diversity and multiculturalism."
The new "gender-inclusive" housing will be featured as a pilot project holding approximately 40 beds, said Cindy Empey, director of UHDS.
It will be open to any students who wish to room with a member of the opposite sex, but there is no random assignment; students must select the person they will be living with.
The number of open spots is flexible, because it all depends on the interests and requests, according to Empey.
"Some schools call it 'gender-neutral,' but we opted for 'gender-inclusive,'" Empey said. "We're hoping for returning and transfer students. There is also an option for consideration of first-year students."
The new housing is primarily for gender-variant students, according to Steven Leider, Lesbian Bisexual Gay and Transgender Outreach and Services Coordinator.
The first initial proposal didn't pass, but after revisions and rewording of the document, it was re-submitted on Sept. 5, 2006 by Angela Baxter, a senior in women's studies.
"We met with individuals while re-writing the proposal," Baxter said. "We got input and a direct buy-in from students."
The proposal is a short, overall description of the initiative. The wording was changed to "gender inclusive" and opened up the option to freshman, according to Baxter.
"The bottom line is that the dorms aren't always safe spaces," Baxter said. "Housing would have to create a space according to the Non-Discrimination Policy - and next year, it's going to be implemented."
The proposal was made with the addition of Gender Identity and Gender Expression in the Non-Discrimination Policy in mind.
"Corvallis is fortunate," Leider said, "for it protects the civil rights of LGBT. We're the only city in Oregon with LGBT protections in the city charter. We're proud of the university - they truly commit to diversity and multiculturalism."
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 8
Kris
posted 2/15/07 @ 8:25 AM PST
Way to go--great job to all. I didn't know that OSU was tops in the list for being LGBTQ-friendly. That's great!!!
Angela
posted 2/15/07 @ 9:01 AM PST
Katie,
You did a great job! Thank you so much for being so attentive to the safety of gender variant individuals during the interview and for stressing the importance of "getting it right". (Continued…)
Case
posted 2/15/07 @ 12:51 PM PST
You've got to be kidding me. Seriously? How many transgendered students attend OSU? Not too darn many when I was there. If guy and girls want to live together, fine, I don't think the University should facilitate that, but that's our institution's rep on the line, but calling it an effort to make transgendered students feel more comfortable is laughable at best. (Continued…)
Kevin
posted 2/15/07 @ 5:23 PM PST
For me, one of the best things about going to OSU was having the opportunity to have my mind opened to new ideas and new ways of thinking. This seems yet another excellent step in the direction of expanding open-mindedness. (Continued…)
Annette
posted 2/15/07 @ 9:19 PM PST
Great job Angie and Queer Affairs Task Force and Steven and everyone! Angie I know how hard you worked on this! This is going to be so awesome!!! There is a need and the students who get the opportunity to live there are going to have a great experience!!
Belinda Gambrino
posted 2/21/07 @ 6:55 PM PST
This immoral decision by secular humanists is the product of staff in UHDS that have largely signed on to the so-called politically correct agenda, by which I mean the agenda promoted by some activists directed at eliminating the moral opprobrium that has traditionally been attached to couples living together without the benefit of marriage. (Continued…)
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